John L. Bailey

John was born July 1, 1952, to parents Malcolm Douglas (“Doty”) Bailey and Glynda Taylor Bailey. He attended Lambert High School and Northwest Mississippi Community College and received a Bachelor of Arts in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi in 1973. After working for two years at Memphis Bank and Trust, he attended the University of Mississippi School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctorate in 1978. John began his legal career as an associate at Cliff Finch and Associates and eventually established his own practice in Batesville, Mississippi. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Batesville, Mississippi, serving as administrative councilman, communion steward, usher, and creator of unique Christmas arches for the sanctuary doors. John was a Kappa Sigma alumnus and a member of Rotary International, the Mississippi Bar Association, and the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association.

John was a devoted father and grandfather, who, more than anything, loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed many years coaching at North Delta School and J.P. Hudson Baseball Park and for his daughter’s traveling softball team, which won the Dizzy Dean Softball World Series in 2002. He organized annual Disney World and Disneyland trips, always looking for new magical experiences to make each trip more memorable than the last. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family in the water during afternoon swims and regular beach trips.

John is survived by his beloved wife of forty-four years, Charlie Ann Talley Bailey; son, John Charles (Tabitha) Bailey of Dallas, Texas; daughter, Christan Taylor Bailey of Hernando, Mississippi; brother, Dr. Malcolm D. (Mary Catherine) Bailey, Jr. of Clarksdale, Mississippi; and grandchildren, Lani Taylor Bailey-Goolsby, Gage Rowan Bailey-Mathews, and Bennett Douglas Bailey.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation at 2:00 p.m. on January 25, 2018 at First United Methodist Church in Batesville, Mississippi, followed by a 4:00 pm. funeral service with Reverend Ed Temple officiating. Wells Funeral Home will oversee the visitation and funeral service.